Man Seriously Injured by Rhino in Zoo
A keeper was seriously injured after an incident involving a rhino is in a stable condition following surgery, Whipsnade Zoo has confirmed.
The man, in his 50s, was found in water in the rhino enclosure at 8.15am with injuries to the chest, abdomen and pelvis.
He was stabilized at the scene and taken by ambulance to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.
The man was given enhanced pain relief at the scene. Five rhinos live in the enclosure, a zoo spokeswoman said.
Paramedics took measures to keep him warm as his body temperature had dropped considerably after being immersed in water.
A Whipsnade zoo spokesperson said, “Procedures were immediately put into place to secure the scene and the emergency services were called. An investigation is under way to find out what happened. Zoological Society of London (ZSL) staff, and more importantly, his family, are with him at this time and he is being very well cared for.”
David Field, Zoological Society of London (ZSL) zoological director, said, “An investigation into exactly what happened has begun.”
Dave Tamarro, of the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust, said, “When we arrived it was clear that the patient had received a number of injuries, including injuries to the chest, abdomen and pelvis. We stabilized the patient whilst the air ambulance was on its way.”
The Health and Safety Executive and Central Bedfordshire Council are investigating.
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